Hong Kong Detects Two Bone Fragments in a Box of

UNCLAS HONG KONG 001097

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM KBENNETT
USDA FOR DU/US --LAMBERT
USDA ALSO FOR FAS

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: ECON TBIO SENV EAGR HK CH
SUBJECT: Hong Kong Detects Two Bone Fragments in a Box of
U.S. Boneless Beef



1. (SBU) The Hong Kong Government issued a press release on
Saturday, March 11, 2006 announcing their decision to
suspend importation of U.S. beef from plant number 969,
Swift Beef Company, Greeley, Colorado, following detection
of two bone fragments, approximately 1-2 inches in length,
in one strip loin in a carton (box) containing six strip
loins out of a total consignment of 89 boxes totaling 4,220
pounds. According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department (FEHD),the two bone fragments appeared to have
originated from the transverse processes of the lumbar
vertebrae (which, we note, are not considered Specified Risk
Materials (SRMs) under the Japanese agreement.) All SRMs --
including tonsils and spinal cord -- had been removed during
fabrication. FEHD staff indicated following inspection of
the product that they viewed this incident as a quality
control problem.


2. (SBU) At present, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and
the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have not
discussed how to handle product with commercial defects such
as bone fragments in boxes of boneless beef. The industry
has standards in place, but these standards were not
explicitly referenced in Hong Kong's beef export
verification program, which does not specifically address
the issue of bone fragments, or set a tolerance for bone
fragments in shipments of boneless beef. In this case, the
Hong Kong Government has decided to impose a zero tolerance
for bone fragments and suspend further shipments from the
plant until they receive a detailed investigation report and
a statement regarding any remedial measures adopted.


3. (SBU) Hong Kong lifted its ban on U.S. beef imports on
December 29, 2005. The first shipments of boneless beef
from animals under-30 months of age began arriving in Hong
Kong in mid-January. As of Tuesday, March 14, 2006,
according to FEHD officials, Hong Kong had received,
inspected, and released approximately 51 metric tons of U.S.
boneless beef. Almost all of the shipments received to date
have been chilled air consignments. The first ocean
shipments are just now arriving in Hong Kong. In addition
to the air consignment of 89 boxes, FEHD also inspected a 40-
foot container (ocean shipment) of boneless beef on
Thursday, March 16, 2006 from the same plant, number 969,
which arrived in Hong Kong prior to the March 11, 2006
suspension order. The container was fully inspected and
released to the importer.


4. (SBU) According to the Hong Kong authorities, they
inspect between 5-10% of each shipment arriving in Hong
Kong. Prior to the recent air consignment from plant 969,
FEHD officials have found no bone fragments or product
defects in the product shipped to Hong Kong.

CUNNINGHAM